Honey Boo Boo's mom insists show is fun, relatable

It's a show that has viewers and critics divided. Some say TLC's "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" is pure entertainment; others say it's a clear case of exploitation. But according to one of the stars of the "Toddlers & Tiaras" spin-off, it's really just fun.

June Shannon, better known on the show as Mama to Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson and family, spoke to Ryan Seacrest about the show and why she thinks it's a success.

"It's a little fun, a little crazy. You can laugh … and have a good time," June explained during the KIIS-FM interview. "Our fan base tells us that when they have a bad day they can be able to watch our show and be able to get a good laugh. I honestly laugh at the show too because it is kind of funny, because we know we have fun filming it. It’s just all about having fun, making memories. And a lot of people say they can relate to us."

Yes, beyond all of the "redneckonize" hijinks on "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo," June believes there's something there that viewers can connect to and understand -- for instance, her relationships with her children.

"I am a parent first and foremost -- that's just how it is," she said. "I'm also their best friend, and everyone comes to me about situations. We have fun. We do act crazy a little bit, (but) we know when to be serious."

And one thing she claims to be very serious about is letting the show's namesake call the shots when it comes to reality TV and pageant productions. Recently Lisa Belkin of the Huffington Post told TODAY that she feared things wouldn't "end well with (Alana)," but Mama doesn't see it that way.

"When Alana says I don’t want to do any more TV, I don’t want to do any more pageants, we’re done," June insisted. "We'd go back to our regular life, like we are now. We live a regular life. (Alana's dad) Sugar Bear still works (in the chalk mines) seven days a week, the kids still go to school, and we live our lives normally."

"Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on TLC.

What do you think? Do you consider the show relatable and fun? Or do you think Alana's mother is wrong about "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo's" appeal? Tell us on our Facebook page.